Quote Originally Posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
Yes, you can use other brand batteries. As long as they are compatible batteries - if the charger is for NiMh batteries, you must charge NiMh batteries in it. Otherwise no problem. I've got a Kodak battery charger and I've charged Kodak, Energizer and even Ray-o-vac batteries in it, and possibly other brands I can't think of right now.

No problem as long as the batteries are the same type. Of course the charger manufacturer wants you to think you can only charge their batteries in it, but that's not the case. However, you might want to do a test charge before you go because we'd hate to have you with dead batteries in California!!! (need all the pics we can get since we can't go ourselves)
The best advize!!
One question though, sorry if it sounds a bit silly . How do you get your batteries totally dead? And how do you know they are??